TAROT REVERSALS QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
Below are 10 possible ways tarot reversals can be read. Consider if you feel more confident adopting one of
these ways and sticking with it, or if you want to draw wisdom from several of them, and not limit yourself.
Experiment with each of these ideas and find out which best facilitates your intuition.
1. Reversals as a blockage in the expression of the card’s energy: The card’s true meaning can’t be fully
expressed because it’s not being allowed to in the current circumstances, for whatever reason.
2. Reversals as the opposite meaning of the upright card: The upright definition is still implied, or referenced
here, but it’s turned on its head. We understand the card’s full potential (for better or for worse) but the
opposite is what’s coming through here. It may be that we’ve escaped it’s wrath, or fulfilled it’s lesson.
3. Reversals as an internalized / inward expression of the card: The reversal shows a potential that hasn’t
fully manifested yet - it’s brewing inside, or perhaps has fully blossomed inside, but that’s where it exists now.
It’s a more intimate expression
4. Reversals as a shadow version of the upright card: In short, ‘the dark side’ of the card. When read this way,
a reversal invites us to bring our love and awareness to the shadow aspect that’s showing itself now. It’s coming
up because it’s ready to be healed and integrated, not feared.
5. Reversals as a nudge to return to the previous card in the tarot deck sequence: If we think about the
major arcana and each suit of the minors as a sequence / progression, a reversal is a nod to return to the lesson
of the card before it (if an Ace, we return to the firm intentions of the King of that suit). The previous lesson
needs to be revisited in order to move forward now.
6. Reversals as an indication to return to the card that comes before it in a reading: The card that comes in
the spread before the reversal gets highlighted here - the previous card needs more attention in order to help
support the reversed card.
7: Select cards only need to be observed as reversals: Some readers have only certain cards they will observe
reversals for. Consider the cards where the imagery is very indicative of the card’s meaning, and turning the
card over makes things look very different. The Hanged Man and The Tower are examples.
8: Each card already contains both the upright and reversed definition: This philosophy holds that each
card is an archetype, rich in its own nuance and expression. Sometimes it can be ‘bad’ sometimes, it’s ‘good,’
but it’s never as simple as just those two options. Essentially, reversals don’t make a difference, and every
reading is different depending on the cards, and the querent.
9. Use your intuition on a reading-by-reading basis: This idea holds that reversals are best interpreted based
on the imagery in the cards (ie - swords falling out of a body, or a heart), and of course, the surrounding cards
and messages.
10. Diminishing power of the card’s energy: The card is loosening its power / influence in your life.
Below is a chart to help you see how the first 4 options in this list for reading reversals might play out as
reversals in each card.
MAJOR ARCANA
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
A BLOCKAGE
IN ENERGY
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
0 - THE FOOL
FRESH START,
LEAP OF FAITH
‘IT’S TIME TO
EMBARK ON A
BRAND NEW
BEGINNING.’
Self-doubt, fear
of the
unknown or
fear of one’s
power
A warning to
not take a leap
of faith - play it
safe, it’s not an
ideal time to
leap
An idea of a
new beginning
has been
birthed, but
hasn’t been
manifested yet
‘Acting a fool,’
or attempting
to feel free in a
way that isn’t
sustainable.
1 - THE
MAGICIAN
POWER, SKILL
‘I HAVE ALL THE
RESOURCES I
NEED, INNER
AND OUTER.’
Self-doubt or
burn-out -
struggling to
make progress
due to a lack of
resources or
clear intention
Misdirection of
energy
Intentions are
still becoming
clear on an
internal level.
OR, there’s a
lack of
opportunity in
one’s current
situation to let
their ‘magic’ be
fully realized
Manipulation,
‘razzle dazzle’
with no real
substance
2 - THE HIGH
PRIESTESS
INTUITION,
HIGHER
WISDOM
‘MY INNER
KNOWING IS MY
BEST GUIDE OF
ALL.’
Lack of
self-trust,
distractions in
the outside
world
A return to
power. Taking
action on one’s
intuitive
knowing
A private
understanding
of the truth
without
sharing, or the
intention to
share
Dishonesty,
using psychic
skills or
knowledge to
harm others
3 - THE
EMPRESS
FERTILITY,
ABUNDANCE,
CREATIVITY
‘CONNECTING
TO THE EARTH
REMINDS ME
THAT
ABUNDANCE IS
UNLIMITED.’
Creative block,
overly
concerned
with the
technical side
of things,
forcing things
Creating
structures and
plans
Healing the
connection to
the body,
developing
individuality,
reparenting
ones self
People
pleasing,
putting others
first, fear of
one’s own
depths, trauma
related to
mother figures
/ women
4 - THE
EMPEROR
AUTHORITY,
FATHER-FIGURE
‘I AM MY OWN
AUTHORITY. I
HAVE THE WILL
AND THE
POWER TO
CREATE MY
OWN LIFE’S
STRUCTURE.’
Self-doubt,
resistance to
existing power
structures
Receiving
mode, creativity
Inner authority,
clarity around
standards that
come from
within
Fear of external
power
structures or
people, time,
trauma related
to father figures
/ men
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
A BLOCKAGE
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
IN ENERGY
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
EXPRESSION
OF THE CARD
5 - THE
HEIROPHANT
INSTITUTIONS,
GROUP
IDENTITY
‘I CHOOSE
WHICH
TRADITIONS I
EMBRACE, AND
HOW I DO IT.’
Process of
learning /
gathering,
forming one’s
own ideas
about life /
finding one’s
‘own way’
Rejecting
tradition in
favour of a
more personal,
perhaps radical
way of doing
things
Personal rituals
and practices,
intimacy with
the spirit and
what gives life
meaning
Trauma related
to learning
institutions /
judgements
around a
perceived lack
of education,
cult vibes
6 - THE
LOVERS
LOVE, UNION,
BONDS
‘MY PERSONAL
VALUES SYSTEM
LEAD ME TO
LOVE.’
Honing one’s
personal values
system,
identifying
what really
matters
Misalignment
of values,
feeling
disrespected or
not seen, not
valued
Self-love
Dishonesty
with the self
around needs
and wants,
communication
breakdown,
harmful
intentions in
relationships
7 - THE
CHARIOT
VICTORY,
ASSERTION,
MOMENTUM
‘NO OBSTACLES
WILL STOP ME
NOW.’
In the process
of choosing a
goal, coming
up with a
structure for
achieving it,
perhaps
forcing energy
Lack of
progress,
burn-out,
dragging ones
self forward
Reaching
milestones
around inner /
invisible goals,
inner discipline
Goal-obsession,
productivity as
distraction
8 - STRENGTH
COURAGE,
SELF-CONTROL
‘STRENGTH
BEGINS WITH
THE CHOICE TO
BE KIND TO
MYSELF.’
Lack of
self-trust or
faith
Forcing things,
overthinking
Inner strength,
a budding
self-love
journey
Self-harm,
self-loathing,
passions
become the
enemy
9 - THE
HERMIT
SOUL-SEARCHIN
G, SOLITUDE
‘I HONOUR MY
SPIRITUAL SELF.’
Outside
sources leaking
in, being
persuaded
Coming out of
one’s shell,
sharing one’s
truth and
wisdom, being
seen
Since this card
is so inward
already, an
internalized
interpretation
might see this
person just
starting their
journey into
the self / soul
Clinging to the
superficial, fear
of looking
inward, feeling
isolated
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
A BLOCKAGE
IN ENERGY
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
10 - THE
WHEEL OF
FORTUNE
KARMA,
TURNING A
CYCLE
‘I RIDE THE
WAVES OF LIFE.’
Resistance to
moving
forward
New awareness
around how
one can take
responsibility
for one’s own
life
Identifying the
‘method in the
madness’ on a
deep internal
level, looking at
one’s own
personal cycles
Crisis of faith,
feeling
powerless,
chaos
/ patterns
11 - JUSTICE
FAIRNESS,
CAUSE AND
EFFECT
‘I GET WHAT I
GIVE.’
Important
information
missing, being
inhibited from
acting on the
truth
Injustice, truth
stays concealed
Dishonesty
with one’s self
Denying one’s
own
responsibility
for their life,
victim mindset
12 - THE
HANGED MAN
LETTING GO,
SUSPENSION
‘IT’S TIME FOR A
SACRED PAUSE.
STILLNESS
GRANTS
PERSPECTIVE.’
Resistance to
stillness or
silence,
unwillingness
to slow down
Coming off the
fence, making a
decision,
releasing what
needs to be
released
Contemplating
the self,
meditation
Stagnancy,
clinging to
something, in
some cases,
addiction
13 - DEATH
ENDINGS,
BEGINNINGS
‘I’M WILLING TO
LET GO OF A
PAST VERSION
OF MYSELF.’
Resisting
releasing what
is lifeless, fear
of the
unknown
Returning to
life in some way
(a relationship
gets
resurrected, for
example)
Rather than
transformation
of anything
external,
transformation
on a personal
level
Depression,
concealing
inner fears /
anxieties,
feeling ‘dead
inside’
14 -
TEMPERANCE
BALANCE,
HEALING
‘I KNOW MY
EXTREMES, NOW
I SEEK PEACE.’
Avoiding
peace, fear of
being one’s
inner knowing
/ knowing
one’s truth
Willpower and
forward
momentum,
asserting one’s
self
Realizing
purpose
through
connecting
inward
Lack of
self-awareness,
staying stuck in
an extreme or
stuck swinging
back and forth
between them
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
A BLOCKAGE
IN ENERGY
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
15 - THE DEVIL
BONDAGE,
RESTRICTION
‘I AM NOT A
PUPPET.’
Attempting to
break free of
psychological
bonds but
struggling to
free one’s mind
Breaking free of
pre-existing
limitations, OR
devils coming
back from the
past OR, in
some instances,
experimenting
with adult fun /
play
Shame,
perhaps
hidden from
conscious view
Addiction,
feeling trapped
in a negative
cycle
16 - THE
TOWER
SUDDEN
CHANGE
‘I SURRENDER
TO THE STORM.’
Resisting rock
bottom,
keeping a tight
control over
our emotions
and the way
things are
Liberation,
rising like a
phoenix from
the ashes,
crown chakra
awakening
Crisis of faith /
identity crisis
Turning inward
on the self,
self-destruction
17 - THE STAR
HOPE,
SPIRITUAL
GUIDANCE
Closing ones
self off from
hope, resisting
Inner demons
dominating the
psyche,
Prayer, setting
intentions,
faith-based
Disillusionment
, crisis of faith
‘THE UNIVERSE
SHOWS ME THAT
I CAN HAVE
FAITH IN MY
DREAMS.’
calm, aversion
to self-love
hopelessness
personal
practice
18 - THE
MOON
ILLUSION,
MYSTERY,
DREAMS
‘THE PATH MAY
NOT BE CLEAR,
BUT MY
INTUITION
LIGHTS THE
WAY, ONE STEP
AT A TIME.’
Lacking
important
information to
move forward,
lack of ability to
trust in the
intuition
Breakthroughs,
clarity, having a
newfound
perspective
Deviating from
the path most
commonly
taken and
finding one’s
own way
Fear,
disillusionment,
potentially
addiction
19 - THE SUN
SUCCESS,
VITALITY, YOUTH
‘I SHINE MY
LIGHT ON THE
WORLD
AROUND ME
AND MY
RADIANCE
ATTRACTS MORE
SUCCESS.’
Lack of trust in
the universe,
lack of
self-worth
Being in the
dark, feeling
isolated and
alone,
uncertain and
hopeless
Self-love,
making
amends with
the inner child
False optimism,
putting on a
happy face to
conceal the
truth
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
A BLOCKAGE
IN ENERGY
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
20 -
JUDGEMENT
INNER CALLING
‘THE DAILY
CHOICES I MAKE
NOW ALIGN ME
WITH MY LIFE’S
PURPOSE.’
The person
wants to
answer the call,
but doesn’t
know how to,
self-doubt
connected to
worthiness
Remaining
unaware of the
reality of one’s
current
situation
Inner calling,
judging oneself
Trying to hide
from the truth,
shirking
responsibility,
regret, trauma
around the
concept of god
/ heaven
21 - THE
WORLD
COMPLETION,
ACCOMPLISHME
NT
‘WHAT I’VE BEEN
WORKING FOR
IS ALREADY
DONE.’
Trouble
moving
forward to the
next part of
one’s growth
journey
Incomplete,
trying to move
forward with a
less-than-solid
foundation
Reaching a
personal
milestone
Refusal to
‘enter the
dance of life.’
Staying stuck in
the past
TAROT REVERSALS QUICK REFERENCE SHEET - MINORS
MINOR ARCANA
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
ACE OF
PENTACLES
INVESTMENT /
OPPORTUNITY
Loss of money
or financial
opportunity
Inner security,
investing in
one’s elf
Fixation on
money - or one
specific
opportunity
2 OF
PENTACLES
MULTI-TASKING
Responsibilities
get lifted off
one’s shoulders
Weighing up
options on an
internal level
Taking on too
much as a
habit, to avoid
any number of
things
3 OF
PENTACLES
COLLABORATIO
N
Going it alone,
entrepreneursh
ip
Strategizing
internally
(perhaps with
one’s guides)
Fierce
competition
4 OF
PENTACLES
BOUNDARIES
Generosity and
freedom
Inward
understanding
of new ideal
structure,
refining a
current setup,
hesitance to
open up to
others / the
universe
Self-imposed
isolation,
inability to let
others in, OR:
chaos (I’ve seen
this reversal
connected to
body image
issues)
5 OF
PENTACLES
SCARCITY
MENTALITY
Recovery from
poverty
Spiritually
bankrupt
Victim
mentality,
refusing to
accept help
from others
6 OF
PENTACLES
GIVING /
RECEIVING
Resisting
growth,
clinging to ‘the
way things are,’
Giving back to
one’s self
Resentment /
pity around
work / money
7 OF
PENTACLES
TAKING A STEP
BACK BEFORE
SORTING THE
CROPS
Thriving, active
growth and
expansion, flow
state in work
Calling back
one’s power,
making a
personal plan of
action
Dissatisfaction,
anxiety around
goals
8 OF
PENTACLES
FOCUS AND
INDEPENDENT
WORK
Impatience,
frustration
Cultivating the
self / working
on spiritual
goals
Work obsession
/ addiction
9 OF
PENTACLES
ENTREPRENEUR
SHIP /
GRATITUDE /
FINANCIAL
FREEDOM
Trading
independent
work for
teamwork
Understanding
of one’s
inherent
self-worth
Wealth
obsession, can’t
access
gratitude /
recognize one’s
progress
10 OF
PENTACLES
LEGACY /
COMMUNITY AS
SOURCE OF
ABUNDANCE
Lack of
connection to
others,
self-made
Connecting to
one’s spirit
family / guides /
ancestors
Trauma around
family /
inherited
wealth
success,
one-man shop
PAGE OF
PENTACLES
NEW FINANCIAL
OPPORTUNITY
Disconnection
from the
creative
process
Investing in
one’s self
Inability to
manifest,
wishful
thinking, serial
entrepreneur
vibes
KNIGHT OF
PENTACLES
ROUTINE,
CONSISTENCY
Boredom, not
being able to
work, letting
down
responsibilities
Working on the
personal /
spiritual goals
or mission
Overwork,
burnout
QUEEN OF
PENTACLES
DOMESTIC
GODDESS,
WEALTH FROM
CREATIVITY
Feeling
disconnected
from nature /
the body, or
one’s wealth
Nurturing one’s
self
Yet to balance /
unify work and
personal
priorities
KING OF
PENTACLES
FINANCIAL
STRATEGY,
MIDAS TOUCH
Lack of
personal
power,
financial
turmoil
Recreating
one’s world
from the inside
out
Success
corrupted,
overly rigid
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
ACE OF
SWORDS
BREAKTHROUG
H
Confusion,
chaos
A new idea is
bubbling up
below the
surface, but
hasn’t fully
taken shape
yet.
Disillusionment
, not being
willing to look
at the reality of
things
2 OF
SWORDS
INDECISION,
TAPPING INTO
INNER
KNOWING
Reaching
clarity, taking
action
Connecting to
the intuition for
guidance,
digesting
information
Denying one’s
truth, holding
back as a way
to stay in
control of a
situation
3 OF
SWORDS
BIG EMOTIONS,
THOUGHTS
CREATE
FEELINGS
Healing from
old wounds,
reframing the
past
Personal
wounds,
shame, dealing
with emotions
in silence
Self-harm,
beating one’s
self up
4 OF
SWORDS
MENTAL
STILLNESS
Returning to
action, coming
out of a
moment of
stillness
Rich inner
world, intuition
speaking clearly
Refusing to still
the mind,
burnout
5 OF
SWORDS
CONFLICT / PICK
YOUR BATTLES
Leaving a
tough situation
behind,
forgiveness
Working on
forgiveness, or,
inner conflict /
internalized
judgments
from others
Gossip, lack of
trust
6 OF
SWORDS
MOVING ON
FROM CONFLICT,
FORGIVENESS
Putting down
roots
Moving on from
from personal
patterns
Staying stuck in
harmful
relationships,
unable to
forgive
7 OF
SWORDS
IMPOSTER
SYNDROME,
DISHONESTY
Opening up,
seeking help /
advice
Imposter
syndrome,
feeling like a
fraud
Staying stuck in
a way of doing
things that isn’t
authentic,
co-dependence
, resentment
8 OF
SWORDS
MENTAL BLOCK
Liberation from
limiting
thoughts,,
calling bullshit
on one’s fears
Inner critic
keeping one
feeling trapped
/ analysis
paralysis
Self-imposed
isolation
9 OF
SWORDS
ANXIETY / FEAR
Freedom from
anxieties and
fears, breath of
fresh air
Deep hidden
shame,
unwillingness
to let fears
come to light,
leading to more
pain
Waite says,
‘reasonable
fear’ as in,
political / social
oppression,
feeling
powerless,
perhaps in fact
being
powerless
10 OF
SWORDS
NECESSARY
ENDINGS
Healing,
releasing what
is ready to be
released
Battling one’s
inner demons,
coming face to
face with them
Tortured soul
vibes, unable to
find an outlet
for
self-expression
PAGE OF
SWORDS
CURIOSITY, NEW
CREATIVE
PROJECTS
No longer a
beginner,
acknowledging
one’s worth /
value of one’s
time / attention
Self-inquiry,
talking to god
Searching
outside one’s
self for answers,
obsessively
collective data /
tools
KNIGHT OF
SWORDS
TRUTH-SEEKING
Lacking
inspiration,
motivation
A new idea and
strategy is
forming within,
visions
becoming clear,
merging
intuition with
next steps
Wildness, lack
of awareness of
boundaries, too
much
information, too
fast
QUEEN OF
SWORDS
HONESTY,
TOUGH-LOVE
Lack of
connection to
one’s word /
truth, personal
power, can’t
find one’s
passion
Intellectualizing
one’s emotions
/ inner state (for
better or worse)
She’s lost her
upright
commitment to
seeking the
truth, and turns
narrow-minded
, arrogant
KING OF
SWORDS
CLEAR
DIRECTION,
TECHNICAL
EXPERTISE
Lack of
direction /
personal power
Rachel Pollack
says, ‘a powerful
mind turned on
itself,
recognizing
only it’s desire
for control.’
Dominance,
gaslighting,
manipulation
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
ACE OF
WANDS
SPARK OF
INSPIRATION
Inspiration has
fizzled out, OR,
newfound
sense of calm /
inner peace
Locating what
lights you up /
inner fire,
understanding
how to ‘keep
the fire alive’
Addicted to the
excitement of a
new beginning
2 OF WANDS
DISCOVERING
ONE’S
POTENTIAL
Warning to
take a step
back - not the
time to move
forward
Knowing that
success now
requires going
deeper into the
self,
reconnecting to
one’s passions
Not feeling
wanted, feeling
aimless,
hopeless
3 OF WANDS
FEEDBACK
ROLLING IN,
HORIZONS
EXPANDING
Frustration,
disappointmen
t, retreating
back into the
comfort zone
for now OR
blasts from the
past
Exploring the
inner world,
memories
coming back
Codependence
on outer results
to inform
actions
4 OF WANDS
HARMONIOUS
RELATIONSHIPS,
CELEBRATION
Lack of
harmony,
putting on a
happy face,
needing alone
time
Personal
milestone,
quiet / intimate
celebration
Lack of ability
to connect with
others,
resentment,
feeling like an
outsider
5 OF WANDS
CREATIVE
PROCESS,
COLLABORATIO
N, MESSINESS
Leaving the
pack behind,
going it alone
Inner conflict,
internalizing
others
judgements /
ideas
‘Going through
the motions’
OR feeling beat
down by the
competition
6 OF WANDS
ACCOLADES
AND SHARING
ONE’S VOICE
Feeling like a
failure OR
feeling like a
follower
Inward sense of
victory,
personal
achievement,
vision for one’s
success
Leadership /
seeking power
for the wrong
reasons
7 OF WANDS
PERSEVERANCE,
STANDING YOUR
GROUND,
SHOWING WHAT
YOU’RE MADE
OF
Leaving a
tough situation
behind, giving
up the fight
Rather than
being on the
offense,
internalized
becomes
defensive,
passion turns
on one’s self,
anxiety
Giving up due
to lack of
support /
confidence /
drive
8 OF WANDS
QUICK,
PASSIONATE
MESSAGE
EXCHANGE
Stagnation, no
new energy
coming in or
going out due
to a
disconnection
of passion
Intuition
speaking
clearly,
messages
resonating,
piecing
together
information to
What one
thought was a
yes is a no
9 OF WANDS
EXHAUSTION,
LACK OF FAITH
Opening up to
others,
accepting
support and
love
Drawing on
inner resources
to stay strong
Defensiveness
paired with, or
perhaps
resulting from,
shame,
paranoia
10 OF
WANDS
HARD WORK,
LAST LEG OF THE
JOURNEY
Letting down
responsibilities,
delegating
Dealing with
with emotional
trauma, holding
secrets or heavy
information
Martyrdom
PAGE OF
WANDS
NEW CREATIVE
PROJECTS
An offer that’s a
hell no, rather
than a hell yes
Inward
understanding
of what lights
one up
Recklessness,
immaturity
KNIGHT OF
WANDS
PASSION,
ADVENTURE
Focusing one’s
passions into a
routine / plan
Spiritual
journey, private
passion project
Overly
passionate,
forceful,
scattered
QUEEN OF
WANDS
AUTHENTICITY,
MAGIC,
OPTIMISM
Following
direction,
looking to
others for an
example
Stepping into
one’s personal
power, giving
one’s self
permission
Mean girl
energy, she
uses her
charisma to
harm
KING OF
WANDS
VISIONARY,
ENTREPRENEUR
Retreating into
cynicism or fear
as a result of
encountering
obstacles
Vision of one’s
own brewing
below the
surface,
spiritual
mastery
Overly
dominant, bully
vibes
CARD
UPRIGHT
MEANING
REVERSAL AS
OPPOSITE
MEANING OF
UPRIGHT
REVERSAL AS
INTERNALIZED
EXPRESSION
REVERSAL AS
SHADOW SIDE
OF THE CARD
ACE OF
CUPS
EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
A warning to
keep one’s
feelings inside
for now
Doing the inner
work of sitting
with /
accepting one’s
feelings,
without taking
action on them
Overflow of
emotions,
overwhelm, too
much too soon
2 OF CUPS
ALIGNMENT OF
VALUES
Communicatio
n breakdown,
not being able
to meet in the
middle
Self-love,
recommitment
to one’s values
Distrust,
misalignment
of values
3 OF CUPS
FRIENDSHIPS,
CELEBRATION
Better to go it
alone, desire to
be
independent
Making peace
with one’s inner
mean girl,
being one’s
own best friend
Superficial
friendships,
excess, trauma
around female
friends
4 OF CUPS
FEELING
STAGNANT
Enthusiasm,
seizing new
opportunities,
breaking free
of old ways,
seeing the
world anew
Turning inward
and mining
one’s depths for
a new
beginning
Stuck in a rut or
negative
behaviour
pattern
5 OF CUPS
FORGIVENESS
AND HEALING,
REFRAMING THE
PAST
Forgiving the
past, cutting
cords with
energy drains,
reclaiming
one’s power
Feeling of
failure turned
inward on one’s
self,
self-forgiveness
is needed
Staying stuck in
trauma,
negative cycles
6 OF CUPS
INNER CHILD,
RECEIVING, JOY
Releasing the
past, living in
the now
Connecting to
the inner child
within
Not able to
extract the
blessings of the
past and move
forward with
them
7 OF CUPS
MANY OPTIONS,
DREAMING BIG
Determination
to make
something
from dreams /
taking focused
action
Relying on
inner wisdom
and guidance
to inform one’s
direction
Wishful
thinking /
disillusionment
8 OF CUPS
MOVING ON
INTO
UNCHARTED
The time to
leave hasn’t
come yet -
Reflecting on
the past and
what to leave
Drifting
aimlessly,
unable to take
TERRITORY
there are still
gems to be
found in
current
environment
behind,
following one’s
intuition
responsibility
for one’s own
knowing
9 OF CUPS
WISHES
FULFILLED,
GRATITUDE
Unable to
create what
one wants to
create, feeling
‘cursed’
Reframing or
revisiting one’s
dream, calling it
in on an
internal level
Unable to feel
gratitude for
what one has,
‘hungry ghost’
10 OF CUPS
FULFILMENT
Breakdown of
relationships,
latent
problems
One’s vision of
ultimate
fulfilment is
clear inside
Disconnection,
trauma around
‘happy family’
or marriage
PAGE OF
CUPS
GENTLE SOUL,
HEALER,
DREAMER
Heartache,
neglecting the
wise inner
dreamer /
magical child
within
A deep intuitive
nudge
rumbling in the
depths, being
with one’s
feelings
As a shadow,
this Page hasn’t
fully realized
sensitivities as a
strength. He
feels powerless
to them
KNIGHT OF
CUPS
ROMANTIC,
CREATIVE ON A
MISSION
Following
traditional
models of
productivity
Dream of a
mission /
creative vision
coming
together inside
Mission thrown
off course,
derailed due to
emotional
issues
QUEEN OF
CUPS
SELF-CARE,
HEALER
Allowing others
to facilitate or
guide your
healing
Focusing on
healing /
nurturing one’s
self
The shadow
side of this
queen needs to
pull the focus
back onto
herself and
build back her
strength
KING OF
CUPS
EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE
Letting down
one’s
responsibilities,
focusing on
creativity for
creativity’s sake
Taking
direction from
the wise guide
within - being
one’s own
trusted advisor
No longer
mature, but
uses his powers
of receptivity to
manipulate, he
lashes out / has
emotional
outbursts